Vincent Scott McGinley Leonard (born 21 March 2008) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk. On 1 July 2026, he will join EFL Championship club Norwich City.
A native of Kilberry in Navan, County Meath, Leonard began playing as a centre midfielder with local club Torro United. He moved to the academy of League of Ireland club Dundalk in 2022, where he was converted into a Centre back and went on to feature for the U14, U15, U17 and U20 sides, captaining the club's youth sides.
Leonard made his senior debut for Dundalk on 6 February 2024 in a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup, becoming the youngest ever player to play for the club at 15 years, 10 months and 16 days old. On 27 October 2024, he made his League of Ireland Premier Division debut for the club in their final home game of the season in a 1âÂÂ0 defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers, after his side had already been relegated to the League of Ireland First Division by finishing bottom of the table. On 22 December 2024, Leonard signed his first professional contract with the club. On 14 February 2025, in his first league start for the club, he scored the only goal of the game in a 1âÂÂ0 victory over Athlone Town at Oriel Park in the first game of the season, making him the youngest ever league goalscorer at 16 years, 10 months and 24 days old. During the summer of 2025, Leonard was subject to reported interest from several clubs including Scottish Premiership Champions Celtic. On 10 October 2025, he scored in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park to help his side secure the 2025 League of Ireland First Division title and promotion back to the Premier Division. He was named the club's Young Player of the Year for 2025. In November 2025, he was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year as voted by his fellow players in the league. In December 2025, he reportedly drew interest from Celtic, Genoa, Olympique Lyonnais, Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion.
On 16 February 2026, it was announced that an agreement had been reached between Dundalk and Norwich City for Leonard to join the EFL Championship club on 1 July 2026 when the transfer window re-opened, following his 18th birthday.
On 9 May 2024, Leonard made his international debut, coming off the bench for the Republic of Ireland U16s in a 3âÂÂ2 defeat to Switzerland in Portugal. He was a regular for the Republic of Ireland U17 side during their qualifying campaign for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, in which they secured World Cup qualification. Leonard was named in the squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar in November 2025.